Bearers of the Black Staff

Panterra started to respond and then hesitated, glancing back at the open longhouse door. Had he heard something? He walked across the room to the door and looked outside. The porch was empty, and there was no sign of anyone beyond. He searched the darkness for a moment, and then closed the door and walked back to Trow.

“If you won’t give my report to the council, will you give it to Pogue Kray, at least?”

“The council chair will have the same reaction as mine, Panterra, only more so. He hews to the teachings of the sect much more closely than I do. It will accomplish nothing to tell him something he will not accept. You have to face the truth about this. No one is going to believe something so radical. They’ll think you’re seeing things and are unfit for your position.”

Panterra and Prue exchanged a glance. “I request that I be allowed to make the report for you,” Pan said. “I have the right to speak before the council on matters that concern the safety of the community. I am exercising that right now.”

There was a tight silence as the two faced each other. “You have to let him,” Prue agreed.

“I know what I have to do, young lady,” Trow Ravenlock replied, looking over at her sharply. “I don’t need you to remind me.” He paused, turning his gaze back on Pan. “Why don’t you sleep on this and we’ll talk in the morning?”

Panterra shook his head. “A night’s sleep won’t change the truth of what we saw. We’re wasting time. I want to give my report to the full council. Let them hear me out and decide for themselves.”

“And hear me out, as well,” Prue added bravely.

Trow looked from one to the other. “Don’t put yourself in a position where you’ll end up looking like fools. Worse, don’t jeopardize your careers as Trackers. You might be throwing everything away by insisting on this. You’re talented, but you’re young still; you have some things to learn yet about prudence and common sense. This one time, listen to me. Let this go.”

“We would be cowards if we did that,” the boy said. “Bayleen and Rausha were friends; they deserve better.”

“They were my friends, too. But they’re dead and gone, and you can’t change that.” The Tracker’s sharp eyes held them. “If you can find some hard evidence to support your statement, then you can give it.”

Pan shook his head. “If we wait on this, people will wonder why we held our tongues. If it’s true, why did we keep it from them?”

“We risk people finding out the hard way what we already know,” Prue added. “We risk watching others die.” She threw up her hands. “Why not just tell them? These people know us! They know we don’t lie!”

Trow Ravenlock shook his head. “Skeal Eile might make them think otherwise. He has the skills to do that; I’ve seen it happen before. If you make him your enemy, he has the power to turn everyone against you. By giving this report, you might as well call him a fraud and a liar. You are declaring to everyone that the Children of the Hawk have been mistaken in their beliefs for five centuries. You can’t do that and not expect retaliation. And you aren’t ready for that.”

“What I am not ready for,” Panterra declared, “is sitting on my hands and doing nothing. I saw what I saw. We both did. These creatures we encountered were not from this valley. The Gray Man may be right—the wall of protection may be eroding. Whatever the case, he asked us to tell the people of Glensk Wood what he believes is happening, and we agreed to do so. I won’t go back on my word.”

The Tracker leader rose and stood looking at Pan. “You’re making a mistake, but it’s your mistake to make. Don’t say you weren’t warned. I’ll give it until morning, in the unlikely case you change your mind. Then I’ll speak to Pogue Kray and arrange for you to appear before the council tomorrow night.”

He shook his head. “Now go—get out of here.”



THE BOY AND THE GIRL WALKED from the longhouse and stood together on the porch for a moment, staring out at the lighted windows of the community buildings where they glimmered in the darkness. As if by accord, neither spoke for a very long time.

“Maybe he’s right,” Prue said finally.

Pan gave her a look. “Maybe he’s not.”

“I’m just saying.”

“Well, don’t.”

She tightened her lips petulantly. “Maybe we should just go to bed.”

“Maybe we should get something to eat first. Like we planned.”

They went down off the steps and followed the path toward their homes. It was growing late, and there were only a few people still out and about at this hour. Those they passed nodded politely or said hello, safe in the knowledge that all was right with the world, oblivious to the truth. For reasons that he found hard to explain, it irritated Panterra immensely.

“Will you come to my house and eat with me?” Pan asked finally.